IMAGE  EVALUATION 
TEST  TARGET  (MT-3) 


1.0 


I.I 


1.25 


laiM    ■2.5 

■so  "^^     MHI 

■u  Wk    12.2 


■u 


|4£ 


12.0 


U   116 


PhotDgrapbic 

Sciences 

Corporation 


23  WIST  MAIN  ITMIT 

WIMTIR,  N.Y.  MSIO 

(716)I73-4S03 


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A 


V 


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v^^ 

'^A 

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CIHM/ICMH 

Microfiche 

Series. 


CIHIVI/ICMH 
Collection  de 
microfiches. 


H 


Canadian  Institute  for  Historical  Mi'^roraproductions  /  Institut  Canadian  da  microraproductions  historiquas 


Tachnical  and  Bibliographic  Notas/Notas  tachniquaa  at  bibliographiquas 


Tha  Instituta  has  attamptad  to  obtain  tha  bast 
original  copy  availabia  for  filming.  Fabturas  of  this 
copy  which  may  ba  bibliographically  uniqua, 
which  may  altar  any  of  tha  Jmagas  in  tha 
raproduction.  or  which  may  significantly  chan^a 
tha  usual  mathod  of  filming,  ara  chackad  balow. 


□    Colourad  covars/ 
Couvartura  da  coulaur 


I      I    Covars  damagad/ 


D 


D 
D 


D 
D 


D 


D 


Couvartura  andommagia 


Covars  rastorad  and/or  laminatad/ 
Couvartura  rastaurte  at/ou  palliculAa 


I — I    Covar  titia  missing/ 


La  titra  da  couvartura  manqua 


Colourad  maps/ 

Cartas  gAographiquas  tn  coulaur 


Colourad  ink  (i.a.  othar  than  blua  or  black)/ 
Encra  da  coulaur  (i.a.  autra  qua  blaua  ou  noira) 


|~n   Colourad  platas  and/or  illustrations/ 


Planchas  at/ou  Illustrations  ^n  coulaur 

Bound  with  othar  matarial/ 
Rali*  avac  d'autras  documants 

Tight  binding  may  causa  shadows  or  distortion 
along  intarior  margin/ 

Lc  r9  liura  sarrta  paut  causar  da  I'ombra  ou  da  la 
distorsion  la  long  da  la  marga  intAriaura 

Blank  laavas  addad  during  rastoration  may 
appaar  within  tha  taxt.  Whanavar  possibia,  thasa 
hava  baan  omittad  from  filming/ 
II  sa  paut  qua  cartai^as  pagas  blanchas  ajoutiaa 
lors  d'una  rastauration  apparaissant  dans  la  taxta, 
mala,  lorsqua  cala  Atait  possibia,  cas  pagas  n'ont 
pas  «t«  fiimtes. 

Additional  commants:/ 
Commantairas  supplimantairas: 


L'Institut  a  microfilmi  la  maillaur  axamplaire 
qu'il  lui  a  iti  possibia  da  sa  procurar.  Las  details 
da  cat  axamplaira  qui  sont  paut-Atra  uniquas  du 
point  da  vua  bibliographiqua,  qui  pauvent  modifier 
una  imaga  raproduita,  ou  qui  pauvant  axiger  una 
modification  dans  la  mAthoda  normala  da  filmaga 
aont  indiqu6s  ci-dassous. 


n~1   Colourad  pagas/ 


D 


Pagaa  da  coulaur 

Pagaa  damagad/ 
Pagas  andommagAas 

Pagas  rastorad  and/oi 

Pagas  rastaurtes  at/ou  palliculAas 


I — I   Pagaa  damagad/ 

r~~|    Pagas  rastorad  and/or  laminatad/ 


y\   Pagaa  discolourad,  stainad  or  foxad/ 
^ '    Pagas  dAcolorias,  tachatias  ou  piquies 


□   Pagas  datachad/ 
Pagas  ditachias 

0Showthrough/ 
Tr 


I  ransparanca 


I      I   Quslity  of  print  varias/ 


Qualit*  inigala  da  I'impression 

Inciudas  supplamantary  matarial/ 
Comprand  du  material  supplimantaira 

Only  adition  availabia/ 
Sauia  idition  disponibia 


Th 
to 


Th 
po 
of 
fill 


Or 
ba 
thi 
sic 
oti 
fir 
sic 
or 


Th 
shi 
Til 
w» 

Ml 
dif 
am 
bai 
rig 
rac 
m« 


Pagas  wholly  or  partially  obscurad  by  errata 
slips,  tissues,  etc..  hava  been  refilmed  to 
ensure  the  best  possible  image/ 
Lea  pagas  totalement  ou  partiallement 
obscurcies  par  un  fauillet  d'errata.  una  pelure, 
etc.,  ont  Ati  filmtes  i  nouveau  da  fapon  k 
obtanir  la  maillaura  image  possible. 


This  item  is  filmed  at  the  reduction  ratio  checked  below/ 

Ca  document  est  film4  au  taux  da  reduction  indiquA  oi-dessous. 


10X 

t4X 

18X 

22X 

28X 

30X 

/ 

12X 

lex 

20X 

MX 

MX 

32X 

^=»t»i»!P7r 


aire 

I  details 
ues  du 
t  modifier 
ger  une 
>  filmaga 


Th«  copy  filmad  har*  has  b««n  raproduead  thank* 
to  tha  ganaroaity  of: 

D.  B.  Weldon  Library 
University  of  Western  Ontario 
(Regional  History  Room) 

Tha  imagaa  appaaring  hara  ara  tha  baat  quality 
poaaibia  conaidaring  tha  condition  and  lagibility 
of  tha  original  copy  and  in  Icaaping  with  tha 
filming  contract  spacificationa. 


L'axamplaire  filmA  fut  raproduit  grica  i  la 
gAniroaiti  da: 

D.  B.  Weldon  Library 
University  of  Western  Ontario 
(Regional  History  Room) 

l.aa  imagaa  auivantaa  ont  4ti  raproduitoa  avac  la 
plua  grand  aoin,  compta  tanu  da  la  condition  at 
da  la  nattati  da  I'axamplaira  film*,  at  •!% 
conformiti  avac  laa  conditiona  du  contrat  da 
filmaga. 


liea 


ira 


Original  copiaa  in  printad  papar  covara  ara  filmad 
baginning  with  tha  front  covar  and  anding  on 
tha  laat  paga  with  a  printad  or  iliuatratad  impraa- 
sion.  or  tha  back  covar  whan  appropriata.  All 
othar  original  copiaa  w  filmad  baginning  on  tha 
firat  paga  with  a  printad  or  iliuatratad  impraa- 
aion,  and  anding  on  tha  laat  paga  with  a  printad 
or  iliuatratad  impraaaion. 


Tha  laat  racordad  frama  on  aach  microficha 
•hall  contain  tha  symbol  — ^  (moaning  "CON- 
TINUED"), or  tha  symbol  y  (moaning  "END"), 
whichavar  appliaa. 

Mapa,  plataa,  charts,  ate,  may  ba  filmad  at 
diffarant  raduction  ratioa.  Thoaa  too  larga  to  ba 
antiraly  includad  in  ona  axpoaura  ara  filmad 
baginning  in  tha  uppar  laft  hand  cornar,  laft  to 
right  and  top  to  bottom,  aa  many  framaa  aa 
raquirad.  Tha  following  diagrama  illuatrata  tha 
mathod: 


Laa  axamplairaa  originaux  dont  la  couvartura  an 
papiar  aat  ImprimAa  sont  film4s  an  commandant 
par  la  pramiar  plat  at  an  tarminant  soit  par  la 
darnlAra  paga  qui  comporta  una  amprainta 
d'impraaaion  ou  d'illuatration,  soit  par  la  sacond 
plat,  salon  la  caa.  Tous  laa  autraa  axamplairaa 
originaux  aont  filmia  an  commandant  par  la 
pramlAra  paga  qui  comporta  una  amprainta 
d'impraaaion  ou  d'illuatration  at  an  tarminant  par 
la  darnlAra  paga  qui  comporta  una  talla 
amprainta. 

Un  daa  aymboias  suivanta  apparattra  sur  la 
darnlAra  imaga  da  chaqua  microficha,  salon  la 
caa:  la  symbola  -^  signifia  "A  SUIVRE".  la 
aymbola  y  signifia  "FIN". 

Laa  cartaa,  planchaa,  tablaaux,  ate,  pauvant  Atra 
fiimAa  *  daa  taux  da  rMuction  diffirants. 
Lorsqua  la  documant  aat  trop  grand  pour  Atra 
raproduit  an  un  saul  ciichA,  11  ast  filmi  k  partir 
da  I'angla  sup4riaur  gaucha,  da  gaucha  i  droita, 
at  da  haut  an  baa,  an  pranant  la  nombra 
d'imagaa  nAcaaaaira.  Laa  diagrammaa  suivanta 
iliuatrant  la  mAthoda. 


ly  errata 
>d  to 

nt 

ne  pelure, 

iqon  A 


1 

2 

3 

1 

2 

3 

4 

5 

6 

DEGREE  BOOK 


OF   THE 


INDEPENDENT   ORDER   OF 


@tt§  jwmwtkm 


UNDER   THE  JURISDICTION   OF   THE 


%  mi  iranb  fobgc  of  |tort&  |mtria. 


ADOPTED  MDCCCLIII. 


AUBURN,   N.  T. 

PRINTED    BY    W.    J.    MOSES. 
1855. 


CONFERRmO  THE  DEGREES. 


These  Degrees  are  designed  to  be  conferred  by  the  Officers 
designated  by  the  initials  appended  to  the  several  Degrees. 
Or  if  the  Right  Worthy  Grand  Chief  Templar  or  the  Worthy 
Grand  Counsellor,  the  Worthy  Vice  Grand  Templar,  or  a  Dis- 
trict Deputy  Grand  Templar,  or  one  appointed  as  special  Dep- 
uty, or  in  case  the  Lodge  has  a  Degree  Master :  such  highest 
Officer  should  take  charge  of  the  Lodge,  and  direct  in  confer- 
ring Degrees. 

The  design  is  that  the  Degrees  should  be  conferred  by  the 
one  holding  the  highest  Office  in  the  Order,  who  may  be 
present ;  but  such  Officers  can  take  charge  of  the  Lodge  only 
by  request  of  the  C.  T.,  except  in  conferring  the  Degrees,  and 
should  the  highest  Officer  decline,  then  the  duty  would  devolve 
on  the  next  highest. 

Presiding  Officers  should  bear  in  mind  that  the  Lodge  should 
always  be  called  up  when  an  obligation  is  to  be  administered, 
whether  it  is  so  laid  down  in  the  work  or  not. 


£     J,    dli    O     Si     m 


OR 


DEGREE 


OF 


§Mm  SBAEffi 


Jiegmuf  %  lieari 


[The  Marshal  meets  the  Candidate  in  the  ante-room— 
takes  him  by  the  arm,  and  announces  his  presence  by 
two  distinct  raps  at  the  inner  gate^ 

I.  Q. — [  With  a  voice  loud  and  distinct — ] 

Who  gives  the  alarm  ? 

M. — The  Marshal,  attended  by  a  friend^  who 
wishes  to  be  inducted  into  the  solemn  Degree 
of  the  Heart. 

[/.  Q. — Repeats  the  words  of  the  Mi\ 

W.  V.  2T— Admit  them. 

[Inside  Guard  opens  the  gate,  when  they  enter^  and  proceed 
to  the  Chair  of  the  W.  C  T.'\ 

M. — •W.  Chief,  our /new(?  has  been  duly  elec- 
ted, and  now  wishes  to  receive  the  instruction 
and  honors  of  the  Degree  of  the  Heart. 

W.  G.  T. — My  friend^  you  have  lived  long 
enough  in  this  world  to  learn  that  man  often 
deceives,  and  that  man  is  often  deceived.  Those 
we  trusted  yesterday,  disappoint  us  to-day.     It 


8 


DEGREE  OF  THE  HEART. 


is  through  such  instability  of  purposes  and 
changes  of  plan,  that  valuable  interests,  and 
truly  noble  enterprises,  suffer. 

Did  mankind  feel  the  solemnity  of  a  promise 
— did  all  feel  that,  after  a  promise,  the  obliga- 
tion to  execute  was  imperative,  and  that  these 
obligations  could  not  be  laid  on  and  off  at  pleas- 
ure, but  must  run  parallel  with  the  circumstan- 
ces  which  called  for  their  being  made,  things 
would  be  different.  Promises  should  claim  the 
whole  heart ;  and  especially  this  should  be  so, 
when  great  and  good  ends  are  to  be  attained. 
This  is  the  object  of  this  Degree.  By  it  we 
wish  to  reach  your  hearty  and  fix  upon  you  a 
sense  of  your  obligation  to  the  cause  of  human- 
ity, which  shall  attend  you  while  you  live.  Are 
you  prepared  to  take  an  obligation,  and  enter 
into  covenant  with  us  on  this  subject,  with  your 
whole  heart  f 

Candidate  answers — I  am. 

W.  C.  T. — You  will  then  proceed  with  the 
Marshal  to  the  chair  of  the  Worthy  Chaplain, 
and  receive  the  obligation. 

M. — Worthy  Chaplain,  by  the  direction  of  the 


DEGREE  OF  THE  HEART. 


9 


W.  C.  T.,  I  present  our  friend  for  the  obligation 
of  the  Degree  of  the  Heart. 

Chaplain — You  will  place  yourself  in  the  at- 
titude in  which  you  were  initiated  into  this 
Order,  and  repeat  after  me  the 


OBLIGATION. 


n. 


I,  (name,)  in  the  presence  of  these  members 
of  the  Degree  of  the  Heart,  and  in  view  of  my 
obligations  to  this  Order,  and  the  love  I  bear 
my  race,  do  most  solemnly  promise,  that  I  will 
never  divulge  any  thing  pertaining  to  this  De- 
gree to  any  one,  except  in  a  lawful  manner. 
And  I  further  promise,  that  I  will  discharge 
all  the  duties  enjoined  in  this  Degree,  to  the 
utmost  of  my  ability,  they  containing  nothing 
inconsistent  with  the  allegiance  which  I  owe  my 
country,  or  the  duties  which  my  religion  may 
claim ;  to  the  true  and  faithful  performance  of 
which,  I  pledge  my  sacred  honor. 

W.  C. — You  will  now  repair  with  the  Mar- 


10 


DEGREE  OF  THE  HEART. 


shal  to  the  Chair  of  the  W.  V.  T.,  where  you 
will  listen  to  the  lecture  which  recounts  the  du- 
ties pertaining  to  the  Degree  of  the  Heart. 

M. — Worthy  Vice  Templar,  by  direction  of 
our  worthy  Chaplain,  I  present  owe  friend  for 
the  lecture  and  further  obligation  pertaininr  to 
the  Degree  of  the  Heart. 

W.  V.  T. — Persons  can  advance  in  this  Order 
only  as  they  advance  in  knowledge  and  virtue. 
Accordingly,  this  Degree  relates  to  yourself- — to 
your  own  heart — from  which,  as  fiom  a  fountain, 
all  your  actions  rise.  Hence  its  name — the  De- 
gree  of  the  Heart.  The  heart  should  be  culti- 
vated. That  which  does  not  do  this  is  valueless. 
This  is  the  object  of  all  religion — this  is  the  ob- 
ject of  Revelation — and  this  is  the  object  of  Di- 
vine government  in  our  world.  Should  we  fail 
in  this  here,  we  should  prove  ourselves  unwor- 
thy of  your  respect  or  confidence.  Fidelity  is  a 
great  virtue.  Where  the  heart  is  right,  this  is 
easy ;  and  where  this  is  poL^sessed,  we  can  trust 
confidently  and  are  happy,  because  we  are  se- 
cure. One  great,  I  may  say,  the  principal,  ob- 
ject of  this  Order  is,  to  promote  the  cause  of 


DEGllEE  OF  THE  UEART. 


11 


Temperance  in  our  world.  To  do  this,  we  must 
be  temperate  ourselves,  constantly  and  devoted- 
ly temperate.  Many  have  lost  sight  of  this; 
they  have  felt  that  they  might  put  on,  or  lay  off, 
their  allegiance  to  this  cause  at  pleasure.  Hence 
its  great  instability  in  times  past. 

The  object  of  this  Degree  is,  to  secure  your 
unwavering  allegiance  to  this  work.  I  have  now 
explained  the  object  we  have  in  view  in  confer- 
ring this  Degree.  Before  we  proceed  further, 
it  will  be  necessary  for  you  to  take  another  ob- 
ligation, in  which  you  will  be  required  to  bind 
yourself  in  the  most  solemn  manner,  to  adhere 
to  this  cause,  WHILE  YOU  LIVE,  and  never, 
under  any  circumstances,  while  life  shall  last, 
voluntarily  to  use  intoxicating  liquors  as  a  bev- 
erage. Are  you  prepared  to  take  such  an  obli- 
gation ? 

Candidate. — I  am. 


[But^  should  the  Candidate  refuse  thus  to  answer,  he  or  she 
may  be  returned  to  the  antc-rooni ;  such  cannot  proceed  ;  not 
bting  sujfficicnlhj  imbued  with  the  spirit  of  our  cause.  But 
the  Candidate  answering  satisfactorily ,  the  V.  T.  will  proceed 
with  the  Obligation.] 


12 


DEGREE  OF  THE  HEART. 


OBLIGATION. 

•       o 

I,  (name,)  in  the  presence  of  the  members  of 
the  Degree  of  the  Heart, — and  in  memory  of  all 
the  evils  which  have  fallen  upon  my  race — 
through  the  use  of  intoxicating  liquors, — do 
now,  of  my  own  free  will  and  accord, — and  with 
a  deliberate  purpose  to  perform, — most  solemn- 
ly promise,  that, — be  I  where  I  may — and  un- 
der whatever  circumstances, — or  in  whatever 
country, — on  the  Ocean  or  on  the  Land, — among 
civilized  or  uncivilized  men, — I  will  not  use  or 
sell,  knowingly,  as  a  beverage, — anything  that 
can  intoxicate, — under  the  penalty  of  being 
held — as  one  unworthy  of  confidence,  from  any 
person  whatever, — and  as  a  liar  among  all 
men, — and  that  I  will  steadily  observe  this,  my 
promise, — to  my  life's  end. — To  all  of  which — I 
pledge  my  saciod  honor. 


,> 


! 


Remember  Ananias  and  Sapphira.  They 
thought  they  were  only  promising  to  men,  but 
the  result  proved  that  the  Infinite  and  Holy 


#' 


i 


d: 


OF  THE  HEART. 


13 


Dne  heard  their  pledge,  and  He  punished  their 
faleshood.  He  has  heard  your  solemn  covenant, 
and  he  will  hold  you  responsible  for  its  fulfill- 
ment to  the  end  of  your  mortal  career. 

Be  faithful — be  not  forgetful  i  be  diligent — 
be  persevering  ;  and  so  a  good  conscience  and 

large  success  shall  attend  you. 

M.  —  Worthy  Chief  Templar,  our  friend  hav- 
ing complied  with  all  our  laws  demand,  now 
comes  to  you  for  the  closing  services  of  the  De- 
gree of  the  Heart. 

W.  C.  T. — This  Degree  has  a  Sign,  Password 

and  a  Grip.     The  Sign  is  made  thus and 

answered  thus  

The  Password  is     *     *     *     *     * 

The  Marshal  will  now  instruct  you  in  the  Grip. 

C.  T. — You  will  now  listen  to  what  is  said  in 
Revelation,  of  the  offence  against  which  we  wish 
to  guard  you.  This  will  show  the  strength  of 
your  obligation  in  a  still  more  impressive  man- 
ner. Listen  to  the  words  which  came  to  Jere- 
miah, from  the  Lord,  in  the  days  of  Josiah,  King 
of  Judah.  Go  unto  the  house  of  tho  Uechabites, 
and  speak  unto  them,  and  bring  them  into  the 


.» -  •"•* 


14 


DEGREE  OF  THE  HEART. 


S'-'^ 


house  of  the  Lord,  into  one  of  the  chambers  of 
the  sons  of  Hanan.  And  I  set  before  the  sons  of 
the  house  of  the  Rechabites,  pots  full  of  wine, 
and  cups,  and  I  said  unto  them,  drink  ye  wine. 
But  they  said,  we  will  drink  no  wine,  for  Jona- 
iab,  the  son  of  Rechab,  our  father,  commanded 
us  saying.  Ye  shall  DRINK  NO  WINE,  neither 
you  nor  your  so7i8,  forever!  Thus  have  we 
obeyed  the  voice  of  Jonadab,  the  son  of  Rechab 
our  father,  in  all  that  he  charged  us,  to  drink  no 
wine  all  our  days,  we,  our  wives,  our  sons,  nor 
our  daughters ;  but  we  have  dwelt  in  tents,  and 
have  obeyed  and  done  according  to  all  that  Jon- 
adab, our  father,  commanded  us.  Thus  saith  the 
Lord  of  Hosts,  the  God  of  Israel :  Go  and  tell 
the  men  of  Judah  and  the  inhabitants  of  Jeru- 
salem, that  the  sons  of  Jonadab,  the  sons  of  Re- 
chab, have  performed  the  commandment  of  their 
father,  which  he  commanded  them,  but  this  peo- 
ple hath  not  hearkened  unto  me.  But  unto  the 
Rechabites,  thus  saith  the  Lord  of  Hosts,  the 
God  of  Israel,  Because  ye  have  obeyed  the  com- 
mandment of  Jonadab  your  father,  and  kept  all 
Lis  precepts,  and  done  according  unto  all  that 


DEGREE  OF  THE  HEART 


15 


he  hath  commanded  you  :  therefore,  thus  saith 
the  Lord  of  Hosts,  the  God  of  Israel :  Jonadab, 
the  son  of  Rechab,  shall  not  want  a  man  to  stand 
before  me  forever. 

I  will  now,  in  a  few  words,  give  you  the  his- 
tory of  this  remarkable  people,  who,  for  their 
fidelity,  are  so  greatly  distinguished  by  that 
Universal  King : 

The  Rechabites,  though  they  dwelt  among 
the  Israelites,  did  not  belong  to  any  of  their 
tribes.  They  were  a  separate  people,  and  were 
the  descendants  of  Jethro,  the  father-in-law  of 
Moses.  Jonadab,  the  son  of  Rechab,  was  a  man 
eminent  for  his  zeal  for  that  which  was  right, 
and  assisted  King  Jehu  in  arresting  and  driving 
a  great  evil  from  the  land.  He  gave  to  his 
children  the  rule  on  Temperance,  which  has  al- 
ready been  rehearsed  in  your  hearing ;  and  their 
fidelity  to  that  pledge  seems  to  be  to  them  the 
promise  of  perpetual  existence.  Since  they  en- 
tered into  that  covenant,  nearly  three  thousand 
years  have  rolled  away ;  the  glory  of  Egypt, 
of  Babylon,  Tyre  and  of  Jerusalem,  has  faded. 
Great  and  mighty  nations  have  been  swept  from 


16 


DEGREE  OF  THE  HEAET. 


the  face  of  the  earth,  and  still  this  simple  people, 
dwelling  in  tents  and  without  city  or  national- 
ity, exist,  and  to  this  day  observe  their  ancient 
covenant.  You  will  see  in  this  an  example  of 
fidelity  which  is  worthy  of  your  imitation ;  and 
you  will  also  learn,  that  heaven  visits  integrity 
to  this  cause  with  peculiar  honors. 

We  close  this  Degree,  by  urging  upon  your 
attention  the  example  of  these  wandering  sons 
of  the  desert.  Where  they  have  been  faithful 
thousands  of  ages,  be  ye  faithful  until  death. 

The  emblematic  color  of  this  Degree  is  blub. 
Its  language  is  the  same  as  that  of  the  azure 
heavens,  which  throw  their  broad  arch  above 
and  around  us.  As  the  eye  never  wearies  in 
looking  upon  their  mild  and  beautiful  expanse, 
so  the  heart  never  tires  in  contemplating  the  re- 
sults of  true  virtue.  As,  wherever  we  are,  this 
beautiful  arch  is  ever  abote  us,  the  fairest  em- 
blem of  strength,  so  we  should  be  taught  by  it 
the  firmness  which  should  characterize  true 
principle  in  whatever  situation,  or  whatever 
country  or  society  we  may  be  placed.  Wherev- 
er and  in  whatever  you  may  see  this  color,  be 


I 


DEGREE  OF  THE  HEART. 


17 


reminded  of  the  obligations  imposed  upon  you 
by  this  Degree. 

Those  present  will  form  the  circle,  while  the 
Chaplain  offers  a 


PRAYER. 

Almighty  King  and  Ruler,  smile  upon  and 
bless  our  friend  and  our  mutual  covenant. 
Grant  that  each — that  aZ?,  may  be  faithful  and 
diligent,  and  that  we  and  this  cause  may  enjoy 
thy  blessing  forever.     Amen. 


SECOND, 


OR 


DEGREE 


OF 


iiiStSI  i^  IJil   ^9 


qxn  flf  C|antg. 


[27^0  Candidate  being  in  the  ante-room^  the  Marshal  meett 
hiniy  and  announces  hie  readiness  to  proceed,  by  thru 
loud  and  distinct  raps  upon  the  gate.  The  Ouard  opens 
the  wicketJ] 

V,  T. — with  a  loudf  distinct  voice — 

Come ! 

\Thegate  is  thrown  open,  and,  as  the  Marshal  and  Candidate 
enter,  the  Vice  and  Chief  Templars  repeat  the  following, 
the  Marshal  meanwhile  conducting  the  Candidate  slowly 
around  the  room^ 

Y.  T. — Thus  are  obstructions  removed*  and 
the  way  opened,  to  all  who  are  intent  on  benev- 
olent designs — those  who  look  for  the  good  of 
our  race. 

C.  T. — "Thou  shalt  love  thy  neighbor  as  thy- 
Belf." 

y.  T, — Who  is  my  neighbor  ? 


22 


DEGREE  OF  CHARITY. 


G.  T. — A  certain  man  went  down  from  Jeru- 
salem to  Jericho,  and  fell  among  thieves,  who 
stripped  him  of  his  raiment,  and  wounded  him, 
and  departed,  leaving  him  half  dead.  And,  by 
chance,  there  came  down  a  certain  priest  that 
way ;  and  when  he  saw  him,  he  passed  by  on  the 
other  side.  And  likewise  a  Leyite,  when  he 
was  at  the  place,  came  and  looked  on  him,  and 
passed  by  on  the  other  side. 

But  a  certain  Samaritan,  as  he  journeyed, 
came  where  he  was ;  and  when  he  saw  him,  he 
had  compassion  on  him,  and  went  to  him,  and 
bound  up  his  wounds,  pouring  in  oil  and  wine, 
and  set  him  on  his  own  beast,  and  brought  him 
to  an  inn,  and  took  care  of  him.  And  on  the 
morrow,  when  he  departed,  he  took  out  two 
pence,  and  gave  them  to  the  host,  and  said  to 
him,  take  care  of  him;  and  whatsoever  thou 
spendest  more,  when  I  come  again  I  will  repay 
thee. 

Which,  now,  of  these  three,  thinkest  thou,  was 
neighbor  to  bim  that  fell  among  thieves? 

Y.  T: — He  that  showed  mercy  on  him. 

C.  T, — Then  Ic!.  us  70  and  do  likewise. 


/ 
DEGREE  OP  CHARITY. 


23 


las 


V.  T. — May  we  receive  goods  or  service  of 
our  neighbor  without  a  fair  equivalent  ? 

C.  T. — Wo  unto  him  that  buildeth  his  house 
by  unrighteousness,  and  his  chambers  by  wrong ; 
that  useth  his  neighbor's  service  without  wages, 
and  giveth  him  not  for  his  work. 

V.  T. — May  we  give  our  neighbor  that  which 
is  an  injury  to  him,  either  as  food  or  drink  ? 

C.  T. — Wo  unto  him  that  giveth  his  neighbor 
drink ;  that  putteth  the  bottle  to  him,  and  makest 
him  drunken  also,  that  thou  mayest  look  on  his 
shame. 

v.  T, — May  we  speak  evil  of  our  neighbor  ? 

C,  T. — "  Whoso  privily  slandereth  his  neigh- 
bor, him  will  I  cut  off,"  saith  the  Lord. 

V.  T. — Ought  we  to  respect  our  neighbor  ? 

G.  T. — Yes,  always,  for,  a  "hypocrite,  with 
his  mouth,  destroyeth  his  neighbor,"  and,  "he 
that  is  void  of  wisdom,  despiseth  his  neighbor." 


V. 


it  proper  to  reveal  the  private  mat- 


24 


DEGREE  OP  CHARITY. 


» 


ters  of  our  Order  ?    and  have  these  anything 
to  do  with  our  neighbor? 

(7.  T. — Most  certainly,  they  have  very  much 
to  do  with  our  neighbor,  and  may  not  be  reveal- 
ed ;  for  secrecy  is  the  cement  which  binds  to- 
gether. The  wise  man  says,  that  "a  tale-bearer 
revealeth  secrets;  but  he  that  is  of  a  faithful 
spirit  concealeth  the  matter." 

V.  T. — ^Are  there  any  further  directions  to 
be  given  to  Good  Templars  respecting  their 
duties  to  their  neighbor  ? 

G.  T. — Yes.  "Thou  shalt  not  raise  a  false 
report ;  put  not  thy  hand  with  the  wicked  to 
be  an  unrighteous  witness." 

"  Thou  shalt  not  follow  a  multitude  to  do  evil ; 
neither  shalt  thou  speak  in  a  cause  to  decline 
after  many  to  wrest  judgment.  Neither  shalt 
thou  countenance  a  poor  man  in  his  cause  un- 
justly. Nor  'shalt  thou  wrest  the  judgment 
of  the  poor.'" 

"  If  thou  meet  thine  enemy's  ox,  or  his  ass, 
going  astray,  thou  shalt  surely  bring  it  back 
to  him  again."    And  "if  thou  see  the  as*?  of 


J 


J 


DEGREE  OF  CHARITY. 


25 


him  that  hateth  thee  lying  under  his  burden, 
and  wouldst  forbear  to  help  him ;  thou  shalt 
surely  help  him." 


[Duririff  this  dialogue  between  the  C.  T.  and  V.  T.,  the  Mar- 
shal and  Candidate  are  m'^ving  around  the  room  slowly^ 
and  listening  to  the  conversation.  But  here  they  will  stand 
be/ore  the  Vice  TemplarJ] 


V.  T. — Such  is  a  general  view  of  tlie  duties 
of  this  Degree.  Are  you  willing  to  bind  your- 
self by  a  solemn  obligation  to  observe  and  prac- 
tice them,  so  far  as  it  may  be  in  your  power 
to  do  so,  and  to  aid  others  in  the  same  ? 

Candidate. — I  am. 


ass, 

ack 

of 


[^Should  the  Candidate  refuse  to  consent  to  these  ditties,  he 
may  he  permitted  to  retire  ;  hut  in  case  he  wishes  to  nd' 
vancf,  the  V.  T.  vull  administer  the  obligation.] 


26 


DEGREE  OF  CHARITY. 


V.  T. — You  will  then  assume  the  Good  Temp- 
lar's attitude  for  taking  the 


OBLIGATION 


I,  [wa^ne,]  most  solemnly  promise,  declare 
and  say, — that  I  will  not  reveal  any  of  the  mat- 
ter pertaining  to  this  Degree, — I  will  not  write, 
indite, — or  cause  to  be  written  or  indited, — any 
part  of  its  lectures,  signs,  passwords,  tokens  or 
grips, — so  that  any  part  may  be  unlawfully  or 
improperly  obtained.  I  will  only  use  and  com- 
municate what  pertains  to  this  Degree — as  di- 
rected by  the  work  of  this  Order, — and  in  no 
other  way,  nor  for  any  other  purpose.  I  fur- 
ther promise, — that  I  will  remain  faithful  to  my 
pledge, — WHILE  life  shall  last, — and  that  I 
will,  by  all  lawful  means, — try  to  loud  all  with 
whom  I  may  associate — to  be  temperate,  and 


DEGREE  OP  CHARITY. 


27 


the  friends  of  temperance.  And  I  solemnly 
promise — to  observe  all  the  duties  enjoined  by 
this  Degree,  to  the  extent  of  my  ability.  To 
the  true  and  faithful  performance  of  all  which, — 
I,  in  the  most  solemn  manner,  pledge  my  hono  \ 

All  present^  in  unison. — We  witness  your  cov- 
enant. 


V.  T. — You  are  now  entitled  to  all  the  ad- 
vantages which  this  Degree  can  confer.  This 
is  a  privilege  which  you  will  esteem  highly; 
but  what  you  should  prize  beyond  this,  is,  the 
privilege  which  it  gives  you  of  doing  good  to 
others. 

We  cannot  live  to  ourselves;  we  are  des- 
tined to  influence  others ;  we  attract  them  in- 
voluntarily to  the  good  or  to  the  bad  which  wo 
may  choose.  How  much  more  powerful,  then, 
will  be  our  influence,  when  we  exert  ourselves, 
and  with  the  effort  use  the  appliances  for  pro- 
ducing a  beneficial  influence  which  the  Creator 


28  DEGREE  OP  CHARITY. 

has  furnished  to  our  hand.  The  Good  Templar 
is  to  do  good  every  where,  and  to  all  men.  You 
are  to  have  no  enemies.  Men  may  wrong  you, 
they  may  traduce  you,  but  you  must  not  be  their 
enemy.  You  must  treat  them,  not  confidently, 
but  kindly.  Do  them  favors,  as  enjoined  in  the 
lecture.  "  If  thine  enemy  hunger,  feed  him  ; 
if  he  thirst,  give  him  drink."  You  are  to  min- 
ister to  affliction,  to  want,  and  wretchedness, 
wherever  you  find  it,  and  can,  whether  in  pur- 
ple or  in  rags,'  in  31.  cottage  or  in  si^palace.  Your 
heart  should  ever  be  like  the  rock  at  Horeb, 
when  touched  by  the  magic  rod  of  Moses — 
it  should  ever  gush  out  with  streams  of  refresh- 
ment to  the  weary,  the  thirsty,  and  the  dying. 


Kind  tvords  and  sympathetic  tears  cost  us 
nothing.  They  are  a  common  bounty.  The 
poor  have  them  as  well  as  the  rich^  the  illit- 
erate as  well  as  the  learned,  and  their  price  is 
often  above  rubies.  They  often  make  the  des- 
ert and  solitary  place  glad ;  and  they  teach  the 
lips  of  the  dumb  to  sing.     You  will  not  be  an 


DEGREE  OF  CHARITY. 


29 


enemy  even  to  the  maker  and  vender  of  deadly 
beverages.  You  cannot  wish  or  do  anything 
to  injure  him,  but  you  will  do  all  you  can  to 
save  him  from  ^he  curse  which  is  impending 
above  him.  If  you  cannot  do  this,  you  will 
toil  to  save  his  victims ;  you  will  labor  to  dry 
up  the  stream,  or  purify  the  fountain  of  strife. 

[*Are  you  a  voter  ?  In  view  of  your  obli- 
gation, with  some  sense  of  the  tremendous  re- 
sponsibility resting  upon  you  as  a  citizen  and 
a  moral  being,  sit  down  and  weigh  well  the 
influence  of  your  elective  franchise,  before  you 
cast  it,  and  fully  satisfy  your  own  conscience, 
as  relates  to  party  and  principle,  as  to  interest 
and  morals,  as  to  time  and  eternity,  before  you 
perform  that  tremendous  act.] 


us 
the 


*  The  paragraph  in  brackets  ig  only  to  bo  used  when  the 
candidate  ia  a  mule ;  and  if  there  should  be  both  male  and  fe- 
male, this  part  should  be  addressed,  by  look  and  gesture,  to 
the  males  only. 


30 


DEGREE  OF    CHARITY. 


Mothers,  Daughters,  Sons,  and  Fathers,  have 
an  interest  here  that  is  of  incalculable  impor- 
tance, and  each  should  employ  all  their  influ- 
ence to  secure  those  interests. 


The  world  is  now  before  you.  It  is  your 
field.  Every  intelligent  being  you  meet  has 
a  claim  upon  you ;  each  has  an  interest  equal 
to  your  own.  You  are  a  steward.  You  must 
soon  give  an  account.  There  is  a  time  when 
the  maker,  the  vender,  the  victim  of  intoxi- 
cating drinks,  the  widow,  the  orphan,  the  mur- 
derer and  the  murdered,  the  hosts  of  the  ruined, 
with  those  who  have  wrought  the  ruin  by  this 
means,  and  those  who  have  influence,  and  they 
who  wield  the  elective  franchise,  officers  and 
constituents,  will  all  stand  before  the  Judge  of 
men !    You  and  I  shall  be  there ! — and  by  these 


DEGREE  OF  CHARITY. 


31 


solemn  truths — by  the  responsibilities  growing 
out  of  our  moral  relations,  and  by  the  inter- 
minable destiny  that  there  awaits  us,  I  charge 
you  to  be  faithful  to  your  obligation  and  these 
great  principles. 


The  Marshal  will  now  conduct  you  to  our 
Chief  Templar,  who  will  instruct  you  in  the 
Password,  Sign  and  Grip  peculiar  to  this  De- 
gree. 


C.  T, — This  Degree  has  a  Password,  Sign, 
and  Grip,  by  which  you  may  know  a  Good 
Templar  when  you  are  appealed  to  for  aid  or 
sympathy,  as  a  member  of  this  Order. 

The  Password  jg  ********  *  The 
Sign  is  given  in  this  form ,  and  is  an- 


32 

swered 


DEGREE  C?  CHARITY. 

The  Marshal  will  now  instruct 


you  in  the  Grip. 


The  emblematic  color  of  this  Degree,  which 
you  are  now  entitled  to  wear,  is  red,  or  scar- 
let. As,  in  light,  the  red  rays  are  most  intense 
and  ardent,  so,  the  selection  of  this  color  for 
this  Degree  is  designed  to  teach,  that  our  char- 
ities should  never  degenerate  to  vhqvq  formal 
acts^  but  that  they  ought  ever  to  be  free  and 
earnest,  that  the  spirit  which  prompts  them 
should  be  ever  equally  intense  and  ardent,  that 
their  object  may  feel,  from  our  happiness  in 
ministering  to  his  wants,  that  we  are  rather  re- 
ceiving  than  conferring  a  favor.  As  red  is  con- 
spicuous among  all  other  colors,  and  is,  also, 
primary  among  the  original  colors  given  by  the 
prism,  so,  the  virtue  of  true  charity  will  ever 
form  a  conspicuous  element  in  our  character — 
an  element  which,  when  possessed  by  us,  will 
be  seen  and  admired ;  but  its  abuse  will  surely 


DEGREE  OF  CHARITY. 


33 


be  detected  and  lamented.  When,  therefore, 
you  put  it  on,  or  see  this  color,  remember  your 
duty  and  your  obligation. 


{The  whole  Lodge  rise^  and  all  exclaim^  in  concert — '\ 

Welcome  ! — Thrice  Welcome  ! 


\The  Marshal  conducts  the  candidate  to  a  seat^l 


w    JiX  Jt  dill  jj  f 


OR 


DEGREE 


OF  THE 


I 
f 


ill  I 


f 


I 

f 


t 


i^gree  nf  il^t  |[0gal  Wixiut 


[The  Candidate  being  admitted  to  the  ante-room,  is  there  join- 
ed by  the  Marshal,  who  will  examine  him  in  the  initiatory 
Word  and  the  former  Degrees,  and  announce  his  presence 
to  the  V.  Templar  by  four  heavy  raps  upon  the  inner  gate 
of  the  Temple.] 

I.  G. — [In  a  hud  voice.'] — There  is  an  alarm 
at  the  inner  gate  of  our  Temple. 

V.  T. — You  will  attend  to  it  with  caution. 


[Z  &.'—  Lifts  thi  wicket ;  and  with  a  fall  voice^  inquiretjl 

Who  comes  there  ? 

M. — The  Marshal,  attended  by  Sifriend^  who, 
having  passed  the  outer  and  inner  wards  of  our 


38 


DEGREE  OF  THE  ROYAL  VIRTUE 


Temple,  now  wishes  to  advance  to  a  knowledge 
of  our  highest  principles. 

I.  G.—Hda  he  the  words  and  signs  which 
will  secure  him  safety  and  protection  on  the 
journey  ? 

M. — He  httSy  and  has  entrusted  them  to  me, 
that  he  may  advance. 

[/.  Q,  throws  open  the  gate  suddenly — 1 

Then  let  him  come. 


' 


I 


The  Lodge  rise  and  exclaim  together — 

Welcome,  Stranger  ! 

C.  T. — Yes,  Welcome ;  and  remember,  that 
the  door  of  truth  always  opens  thus  to  those 
who  knock  in  faith. 


i 


liiii 


DEGREE  OF  THE  ROYAL  VIRTUE. 


39 


. 


G.  T. — ^Have  you  passed  the  initiatory  ceremo- 
ny, and  taken  the  lower  Degrees? 

Candidate. — I  have. 

C.  T. — ^Do  you  wish  to  advance  ? 

Candidate. — I  do. 

C,  T. — Can  you   give   the  initiatory  word  ? 

[Candi^te  gives  it  as  directed  at  initiation.'] 

C.  ^— Give  me  the  word  of  the  first  De- 
gree. 

[Candidate  gives  that."] 

C  T. — Give  me  the  word  and  sign  in  the 
second  Degree. 

[Candidate  gives  ihem^ 

C.  T. — Do  you  believe  in  the  one  Supreme 
and  Almighty  Ruler  of  the  Universe ;  and  do 
you  fear  him? 

Candidate. — I  do. 

C.  T. — Do  you  believe  that  all  our  acts  are 


40 


DEGREE  OF  THE  ROTAL  VIRTUE 


done  in   his   presence,  and  that  he  holds  us 
responsible  for  all  we  do? 

Candidate. — I  so  believe. 

G.  T. — Do  you  believe  that  the  Almighty  is 
displeased  with  the  awful  crime  of  drunkenness 
and  of  drunkard-making,  and  that  he  would  be 
pleased  if  they  were  banished  from  the  earth  ? 


/, 


! 


Candidate. — I  thus  believe. 

C.  T. — Do  you  believe  that  it  is  a  duty  which 
you  owe  to  your  Heavenly  Father,  as  well  as  to 
men,  to  labor  to  drive  this  scourge  away  ? 

Candidate, — I  so  believe. 

C.  T. — Will  you  enter  into  solemn  covenant 
witii  us  to  do  all  you  lawfully  can  in  this  enter- 
prize,  as  a  duty  which  you  owe  to  your  Creator  ? 

Candidate. — I  will. 

C.  T. — Then  place  yourself  in  the  attitude  in 


i 


us 


V 


DEGREE  OF  THE  ROYAL  VIRTUE. 


41 


which  you  were  initiated  into  this  Order,  and 
repeat  after  me  our  solemn 


COVENANT. 


i 


m 


I,  [name,  J — most  solemnly  and  sincerely  cov- 
enant— with  these  Good  Templars, — and  before 
Him  who  has  pronounced  a  solemn  and  awful 
curse,  upon  the  drunkard  and  the  drunkard- 
maker — that,  as  a  solemn  duty  to  Him,  to  my 
race,  and  myself, — I  will  never  use  as  a  bev- 
erage— anything  which  can  intoxicate, — be  it 
what  it  may, — and  I  will  use  all  lawful  and 
moral  means — to  banish  the  evil  from  the 
worl;^ — as  a  duty  which  I  owe  to  my  Maker.  I 
also  promise, — that  the  words, — signs, — grips, 
— and  all  pertaining  to  this  Degree — or  either 
of  the  Degrees  connected  with  this  Order, — or 
any  part  of  its  work — shall  be  by  me  kept  as  a 


42 


DEGREE  OF  THE  ROYAL  VIRTUE. 


sacred  trust, — and  shall  never  be  revealed  or 
divulged  by  me, — only  in  a  lawful  manner, — 
and  as  prescribed  by  the  work  of  the  Order. 
To  all  of  which,  I  pledge  my  sacred  honor. 


C.  T. — In  the  first  Degree  you  were  instructed 
in  your  duty  to  yourself;  in  the  second  you 
were  informed  of  what  was  due  from  you  to 
your  neighbor;  and  it  now  becomes  my  duty 
to  impress  upon  your  mind  your  solemn  ob- 
ligation to  your  Creator.     This  I  am  satisfied 

cannot  be   done  more   appropriately  than  in 
his  own  language. 

"A.nd  God  spake  all  these  words,  saying,  I 
am  the  Lord  thy  God.  Thou  shalt  have  no 
other  gods  before  me.  Thou  shalt  not  make 
unto  thee  any  grave.,  image,  or  any  likeness 
of  any  thing  that  is  in  heaven  above,  or  that 
is  in  the  earth  beneath,  or  that  is  in  the  water 
under  the  earth.  Thou  shalt  not  bow  down 
thyself  to  them,  nor  serve  them ;  ^or  I  am  a 


DEGREE  OF  THE  ROYAL  VIRTUE. 


43 


jealous  God,  visiting  the  iniquity  of  the  fathers 
upon  the  children  unto  the  third  and  fourth 
generation  of  them  that  hate  me,  and  showing 
mercy  unto  thousands  of  them  that  love  me 
and  keep  my  commandments.  Thou  shalt  not 
take  the  name  of  the  Lord  thy  God  in  vain ; 
for  the  Lord  will  not  hold  him  guiltless  that 
taketh  his  name  in  vain.  Remember  the  Sab- 
bath day  to  keep  it  holy.  Six  days  shalt  thou 
labor  and  do  all  thy  work.  But  the  seventh 
day  is  the  Sabbath  of  the  Lord  thy  God ;  in  it 
thou  shalt  not  do  any  work,  thou,  nor  thy  son, 
nor  thy  daughter,  nor  thy  man-servant,  nor  thy 
maid-servant,  nor  thy  cattle,  nor  thy  stranger  that 
is  within  thy  arates.  For  in  six  days  the  Lord 
made  heaven  and  earth,  the  sea,  and  all  that  in 
them  is,  and  rested  the  seventh  day ;  wherefore 
the  Lord  blessed  the  Sabbath  day  and  hallowed 
it. 

*'  Thou  shalt  love  the  I  ord  thy  God  with  all 
thy  heart,  and  with  all  thy  soul,  and  with  all  thy 
mind,  and  with  all  11  sy  strength." 

Such  are  the  duties  which  are  taught  and  en- 
joined by  this  Degree.     Respect  and  love  to 


u 


44 


DEGREE  OF  THE  ROYAL  VIRTUK 


that  Infinite  Being,  the  evidence  of  whose  pow- 
er and  glory  and  goodness  we  see  everywhere. 
The  seasons,  the  flowers,  the  fruits  and  colors  of 
the  world  around  and  above  us,  all  tell  his  praise 
from  their  countless  tongues,  and  urge  us  to  ri- 
val them  with  our  superior  powers.  From  his 
greatness  and  goodness  arises  our  obligation  to 
him,  and  to  each  other ;  for  if  we  have  no  re- 
spect or  love  for  our  brother  whom  we  have 
seen,  how  can  we  respect  our  Creator  whom  we 
have  not  seen  ? 

I  will  now  instruct  you  in  the  words  and  signs 
peculiar  to  this  Degree,  which  has  a  Working 
Sign  and  Word ;  also  a  Distress  Sign  and  Word. 

The  Working  Sign  is  made  thus, ,  and  is 

answered  thus, .    The  Word  is  *  *  *  *  * 

The  Distress  Sign  is  given  thus,  — .     The 

Word  is  t  n  XX  X^tXX'  The  answer 
XXX  XX' 

These  signs  are  not  to  be  used  common  ;  you 
are  to  employ  them  only  in  proving  a  member, 
and  in  case  of  real  distress  or  necessity.  The 
tvords  of  the  Distress  Sign  are  only  to  be  used 
in  the  dark. 


DEGREE  OP  THE  ROYAL  VIRTUE. 


45 


you 

iber, 

The 

ised 


You  have  now  passed  through  all  the  grades 
of  our  Order.  The  object  in  all  these  ceremo- 
nies has  been  to  impress  you  with  a  due  sense 
of  the  three  great  relations  of  this  life,  and  the 
duties  which  are  incident  to  them.  I  wish 
briefly  to  remind  you  of  these. 

First,  they  respect  yourself.  If  we  are  not 
faithful  to  ourselves,  how  can  we  be  expected 
to  be  faithful  to  others  ?  A  corrupt  fountain 
cannot  send  forth  pure  streams.  Unless  we 
have  the  principle  existing  within,  unless  the 
duties  we  owe  to  others  havpi  in  r  ^me  form  an 
existence  in  ourselves,  they  will  never  appear. 
Such  is  the  relation  of  a  correct  moral  character 
to  a  right  moral  influence.  Our  own  minds 
must  bear  fruit,  before  it  can  be  imparted  to 

others. 

r 

•  Secondly,  we  owe  a  duty  to  our  neighbor. 
No  one  lives  without  some  influence.  A  man 
may  enclose  himself  in  strong  walls ;  he  may 
shut  himself  away  from  the  light  of  Heaven ; 
and  if  it  is  known  that  he  exists,  he  will  have 
an  influence ;  he  cannot  avoid  it ;  it  is  some- 


46 


DEGREE  OF  THE  ROYAL  VIRTUE. 


I' 


thing  as  inseparable  from  existence  as  breath  is 
from  life.  The  mere  child,  the  tender  babe,  has 
its  influence,  even  upon  the  heart  that  has  been 
moulded,  and  set,  and  hardened  by  the  tread  of 
many  years ;  why,  then,  should  not  our  more 
active  powers  be  influential  ?  They  are — it  is 
unavoidable  ;  and  that  influence  will  be  broad 
and  good,  almost  in  proportion  as  we  will  to 
make  it. 

Hence  the  connection  of  the  two  Degrees 
arises  from  the  natural  relation  which  they  bear 
to  each  other.  You  cannot  fail  to  see  their  fit- 
ness, and  we  hope  that  they  may  form  a  rich 
theme  for  your  meditation  and  thought  during 
all  your  life. 

The  third  and  last  Degree  relates  to  our  Cre- 
ator. Without  the  most  implicit  reliance  upon 
him,  we  must  fail  in  many,  in  all  our  worthy 
efforts:  "Except  the  Lord  build  the  house, 
they  labor  in  vain  that  buiid  it.  Except  the 
Lord  keep  the  city,  the  watchman  waketh  in 
vain."  "For  in  him  we  live,  and  move,  and 
have  our  being."  We  accordingly  owe  him  re- 
spect, reverence,  obedience,  service,  and  tho 


DEGREE  OF  THE  ROYAL  VIRTUK 


47 


fullest  affection  of  our  hearts.  It  ought  to  be 
the  chief  study  of  our  lives,  and  our  choicest 
pleasure  to  pay  to  him  these  our  solemn  obliga- 
tions ;  and  in  doing  this,  we  shall  be  enabled  to 
redeem  all  the  pledges  we  have  made  here,  and 
shall  find  the  path  of  duty — which,  though  it 
tends  upwards,  and  often  winds  over  many  a 
wea^  7  ascent, — one  of  charming  prospects,  of 
flagrant  flowers,  and  cheered  by  the  shout  of 
joyous  ones,  and  made  gladsome  by  the  songs 
of  the  happy,  whose  company  we  shall  join. 

The  emblematic  color  of  this  Degree  is  pur- 
ple. Its  language  is  that  of  royalty.  The  se- 
lection of  this  color  as  appropriate  to  this  De- 
gree, was  to  indicate  to  you,  that  the  virtue  of 
which  it  is  designed  to  remind  you,  is  the  chief 
of  all  virtues.  Love  is  the  fulfilling  of  the  law, 
and  that  love  must  first  reach  towards,  and  cen- 
tre in,  the  Creator ;  then  it  will  extend  to  the 
creature. 

Purple  has  always  been  regarded  as  the  ap- 
propriate color  for  those  who  were  chief  in 
place  and  in  power ;  but  how  much  more  ap- 


48 


DEGREE  OF  THE  ROYAL  VIRTUR 


Hi 
11 


propriate  for  those  who  keep  the  "Royal  Law." 
This  color  will  remind  you  of  the  high  place 
which  has  been  given  you  by  this  Order, — of 
the  confidence  of  those  around  you,  in  your  in- 
tegrity and  virtue, — and  above  all,  of  the  solemn 
obligation  you  are  under,  to  cultivate  and  main- 
tain the  high  moral  character  which  it  teaches 
and  enjoins.  May  it  ever  be  your  highest  am- 
bition to  illustrate  in  your  life,  the  royal  virtue 
— Love  to  God. 

You  Are  now  fully  entitled  to  all  the  privi- 
lege s  of  our  noble  Order,  and  while  we  welcome 
you  to  its  highest  seat,  may  we  be  allowed  to 
express  the  wish  that  your  virtues  may  ever  be 
a  bright  illustration  of  our  principles,  and  the 
best  commendation  of  our  institution. 


'4 


^al  Law." 
gh  place 
rder, — of 
I  your  in- 
he  solemn 
md  main- 
it  teaches 
ghest  am- 
yal  virtue 


the  privi- 
B  welcome 
llowed  to 
ly  ever  be 
3,  and  the 


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